Little League Earns Horizon Award for Amateur Sports Organization Of the Year

Accompanied by Little Leaguers from the
Atlanta area, Steve Keener delivers his acceptance speech at
the fifth annual Horizon Awards for Sports Business.

ATLANTA (Nov. 2, 2005) – Little League International received the
award for “Amateur Sports Organization of the Year” at the fifth
annual Horizon Awards for Sports Business tonight in Atlanta. The
Horizon Awards, created by the Atlanta Sports Council, honors the
thought-leaders and innovators in the sports business industry.

The “Amateur Sports Organization of the Year” award recognizes the
amateur sports organization that had significant or unique success in
branding, marketing, financing and participation growth. Stephen D.
Keener of Williamsport, Pa., president and chief executive officer of
Little League Baseball and Softball, accepted the award.

“The companies and individuals honored here tonight set the bar for
what can be accomplished in their respective industry segments,” said
Gary Stokan, Atlanta Sports Council president. “It is our privilege to
both recognize their achievement and celebrate its collective impact
on the industry.”

Nominees and winners were selected for 11 categories by the Horizon
Awards Voting Academy, a national body representing every sector of
the sports business industry. The voting process was certified by the
accounting firm of Habif, Arogeti and Wayne LLP, official business
advisors to the Horizon Awards.

Little League International is a non-profit organization whose mission
is to promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all
lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little
League Baseball and Softball.

After more than 50 years of publishing a printed newsletter, Little
League International recently converted the “Little Leaguer”
newsletter to an all-electronic format. At its peak, the printed
newsletter reached 13,000 people four times a year. By 2004, the
e-newsletter reached 400,000 people a month.

In 2005, Little League reached new heights with its television
contract. In the fifth year of a six-year deal, more than 40 games in
the Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournament were
televised nationally on ESPN and ESPN2. The U.S. and World
Championship games of the Little League Baseball World Series were
televised on ABC.

Following the ceremony, Mr. Keener posed for
a photo backstage with the Little Leaguers.

Little League also has seen growth in its Urban Initiative, now in
more than 70 communities in the U.S., with an annual Urban Initiative
Jamboree at the international headquarters. Little League’s Challenger
Division for mentally and physically disabled children boasts more
than 26,000 players, recently buoyed by a $2 million endowment from
Garth Brooks’ Teammates for Kids Foundation.

Also in 2005, Little League introduced “Ask Little League,” an
interactive on-line session in which guests and friends of Little
League answer questions from players, volunteers and fans. The first
guest was Yankees pitcher, Mike Mussina, who played Little League in
Montoursville, Pa., and is now a member of the Little League
International Board of Directors.

Another recent change cited: For the first time in more than 55 years,
Little League changed the league age determination date for players,
effective in 2006. The old date of July 31 for both baseball and
softball became April 30 for baseball, and Dec. 31 (of the previous
year) for softball.

"On behalf of Little League International, I am pleased that Little
League has received this recognition, and wish to thank the 2005
Horizon Awards Voting Academy members and the Horizon Awards Executive
Committee,” Mr. Keener said. “We are privileged to be considered for
this award among such distinguished nominees, and honored that Little
League was selected. I can promise that Little League will continue to
strive to maintain its leadership position in the youth sports world."

About the Horizon Awards:
Created in 1999 by the Atlanta Sports Council, the Horizon Awards for
Sports Business is the only event that brings together more than 600
executives from around the country to celebrate excellence in the
sports business industry. Companies and individuals recognized are
thought-leaders and innovators of marketing, advertising, promotions,
media and technology in the sports business industry.

About the Atlanta Sports Council:
The Atlanta Sports Council, 2000 and 2004 Sports Commission of the
Year, promotes the value of sports growth in Atlanta and Georgia by
acting as an authority on the economic impact, visibility and quality
of life issues associated with sports. Its mission is to lead,
organize and support sports development with the goal of building
Atlanta's reputation as the Sports Capital of the World.